Consultation on streamlining labour migration concludes
Given the increasing recognition of the centrality of labour migration to the economy and to the livelihoods of millions of its citizens, we anticipate that our joint interest will deepen in the coming years, said ambassador of the EU Delegation to Nepal Dr Alexander Spachis during the conclusion of a joint International Organisation for Migration (IOM), government and European Union consultation that set out to integrate labour migration as a formal sector into the country’s economy, here today.
“It is a particular wish of EU Delegation to Nepal to work directly with the government on the issue,” he said, adding that coordinated work between the government, donors and stakeholders will achieve the best results by sharing our knowledge and expertise.
Speaking at one-day consultation, minister for labour and employment Post Bahadur Bogati noted the government believes that well-managed migration could become a choice and not a necessity. “It not only benefits the workers but also the country,” he said, adding Nepali migrants are now recognised as an integral and a contributing sector of the economy, and with improved coordination they will enhance overall development.
“With combined active interest and support, the consultation will initiate wider discussions, cooperation and development of an action-oriented programme of projects amongst key stakeholders to enhance and better coordinate labour migration management into development assistance programmes in Nepal,” said secretary for labour and employment Som Lal Subedi.
Some two million regular documented Nepali migrants work in Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, South Korea and beyond. A further 1.5 million undocumented migrants work in other nations.
Published on: 25 November 2012 | The Himalayan Times
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